OPAF and First Things First held a workshop at the Homewood Brushton YMCA in Pittsburgh that focused on falls and recovery. The event was sponsorsed by Pittsburgh-based Union Orthotics & Prosthetics and De La Torre Orthotics and Prosthetics, Encompass Health Rehabilitation Hospital, and Elizur. The event was led by Chris Doerger PT, CP, and coordinated by University of Pittsburgh O&P Department Chair Sara Peterson, CPO, and the O&P program students.
Photograph courtesy of OPAF.
The morning session offered O&P students, local practitioners, and community members with lower-limb amputations the opportunity to learn more about prosthetic componentry, falls interventions and mitigation, and participate in hands-on activities. More community members joined OPAF for an afternoon session where participants were taught a reverse chain method of getting up from the floor as well as safety tips and measures to help forestall accidents or injuries.